Posted: Thursday, 20th October, 2005 : 10:13 AM - - 5,089 Reads

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	Shane Watts: Photo: Ray Gundy

Watts started the 3 hour event with a mid pack start and then began moving toward the front until suffering a time consuming crash that ripped the hose from his drink system. Totally saturated, watts then spent the following two laps riding at a steady pace waiting for the arm pump, and severe numbness from carpal tunnel syndrome, in his throttle hand to dissipate before mounting a charge to the front.

By then the Leader Mike Lafferty, who was aboard a KTM 300 XC instead of his normal 450 EXC, had amassed an enormous lead so Watts settled into second place and rode consistently for the remainder of the race to finish almost five minutes behind Lafferty and four minutes in front of third.

"That was an excellent course," Watts enthused following the event. "It's such a pity having to deal with the arm pump thing because I would have loved to battle for the win with Lafferty. That would have been a good battle! I'm definitely looking forward to having surgery at the end of this year to cure this ailment and thus be capable of charging hard right from the start during the 2006 season."

Winner Mike Lafferty said, "It was great to have a race in my home state; I was feeling really good and the KTM 300 XC worked perfectly. It was a tough track, that’s for sure. I had a lot of great support this year, and wanted to thank KTM for all the help; I especially want to thank Alan and Melissa Randt for the countless hours they’ve dedicated to my racing."

Eagleswood, NJ Hare Scrambles Top Six Overall Results
1. Mike Lafferty KTM
2. Shane Watts KTM
3. Ryan Rodgers YAM
4. Brian Garrahan SUZ
5. Justin Williamson YAM
6. Pat Garrahan KTM

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